Physicians' Attitudes Toward Mandatory Workplace Urine Drug Testing

From the Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, (Drs Lemon and Alguire), and the Ingham County Health Department, Lansing, Mich (Dr Sienko). Dr Lemon is now a Cancer Prevention Fellow with the Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md.

Results.—Seventy-four percent (272/368) of the sample responded. Seventy-two percent of the subjects believed physician drug use to be a minor or nonexistent problem, 38% lacked confidence in the testing procedure, and 60% believed that testing infringed on the physician's right to privacy; yet 87% would submit to testing if required by a hospital. Forty-five percent of respondents agreed with the policy of mandatory testing for physicians with hospital privileges, 34% disagreed, and 21% were uncertain. Respondents were more supportive of mandatory testing of other health care and non—health care occupations than for themselves. Support for testing was greatest for illicit drugs. If implemented, physicians preferred mandatory testing to be performed by hospital medical staff independent of hospital administration.

Conclusions.—Further education and discussion within the physician community appears to be necessary before widespread mandatory workplace urine drug testing of physicians is implemented.(Arch Intern Med. 1992;152:2238-2242)